By Matthew Ajai-Kume
Governor Samuel Ortom has directed the recruitment of more personnel into the Benue State Livestock Guards to intensify the fight against open grazing of animals in the state.
The Benue State Governor who announced this recently during the celebration of his 60th birthday with Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) at the Ukpiam Camp, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State said, the recruitment of the personnel of the guard became necessary for the guard to assist the conventional security agencies, especially the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in enforcing the Prohibition of Open Grazing and Ranches Establishment Law in Benue State.
According to Governor Ortom, due to the continued attacks on innocent people of the state, there is also continued increase of IDPs in the seven camps in the state. “Though, the armed Fulani herdsmen in recent time have continued to attack and kill innocent people and even destroy their properties and our Livestock Guard members are not an exception as they go after them and members of their families, however, I remain focus that, nothing shall distract me to repeal the law.” he stated.
Governor Ortom once again, appealed to the Federal Government to provide adequate security agencies to curb the incessant attacks on his people while he also reminded them to fulfill its earlier promise when the Vice President, Yemi Osinbanjo visited of reconstructing and rehabilitating the ancestral homes of the IDPs to enable them return home to continue with their farming activities.
He commended, Justice Augustine Utsaha (Rtd) for providing the land for the establishment of the camp at Ukpian and prayed God to bless him richly for the good gesture while he called on Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), public spirited bodies and other people of goodwill to support the IDPs.
On his part, the Member representing Makurdi and Guma Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, Benjamin Mdzondu thanked the governor for remembering the IDPs in the critical moment in his life time, while he encouraged the IDPs to look unto God, as well as support the governor and the security agencies to solve the problem confronting them.
In an address, the District Head of Mbabai, Chief Boniface Kyaanenge, represented by the Kindred Head, Abanor, Moses Gwabo, thanked the governor for his concern over the well-being and development of the area and especially the IDPs, even as he appealed to him to provide electricity to the community, as well as provide enough security to the camp against criminal elements.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary, Benue State Emergency Management Agency, Dr Emmanuel Shior commended the governor’s effort for the establishment of the IDPs Camp in Ukpian. He stated that, at the moment, the camp is taking care of over 27,000 IDPs while he applauded the governor for always releasing funds to carter for the well being of the IDPs.
